Chapter 11 — After Forgetting Your Husband

I said, “Come get my things.”

“Is there anything here that doesn't belong to the Tham family?”

Tue Tue stood behind me and whispered: "Mom's drawing board belongs to me." The mother-in-law glared at her: "Raising you is a waste of rice, eating apple trees and fig trees." I turned back to look at Tue Tue, her eyes were red, but she wasn't crying. I turned to my mother-in-law: "If you scold him one more time, I will turn on the live recording." Mother-in-law choked her throat. We went upstairs and pushed open the master bedroom door. The room is very large, the bed is also very large, but the head of the bed only has one pillow that is dented because someone is lying on it. The other half is flat and neat as if no one had ever touched it. A familiar feeling of anger welled up in my chest, not belonging to the current me, but oozing from every bone. In the wardrobe room, my things only occupy a very small corner, the colors are mostly gray and white. The library door is locked. The locksmith was just about to move when Tham Duat Hanh returned. His steps were very fast, his tie was a bit messy, and when he saw me he stopped.

"Whatever you want, I'll have someone bring it to you."

I said: “I don't believe you.” As soon as the words came out, his face stiffened. There was a clicking sound and the lock opened. The book room smells like wood that hasn't been well-ventilated for a long time. My computer, electronic drawing board, and sketches were dumped in a corner, covered with a thin layer of dust. In the middle of the desk was a ceramic cup given to him by Ha Tuyen. On the cup was drawn a small cat, underneath was written: *For the person who understands me best.* I glanced at it, not bothering to touch it. But Tue Tue kept staring at the cup and suddenly said: "This cup, Mom has beaten it before." Tham Duat Hanh's back stiffened. I asked: "Why?" Tue Tue looked down at the ground: "Because Aunt Ha sent it to the house, grandma made mom wash it and put it on the table for dad. Mom said she wouldn't wash it. Grandma said, she couldn't even hold the cup, no wonder dad doesn't like coming home." The mother-in-law stood outside the door and shouted: "Children are talking gibberish!" Tham Duat Hanh turned to look at her: "Mom." She immediately fell silent. Tue Tue continued: "Mom threw the cup in the trash, dad came back and picked it up, scolding her for being unreasonable." I looked at the cup. The palm of my hand suddenly itched. I walked over and picked up the cup. Instinctively, Tham Duat Hanh called out: "Tri Chi." I didn't care about him, walked in front of the trash can, and let go. The ceramic cup fell into the barrel, making a dull sound, without breaking. I frowned. Tue Tue held a thick dictionary from the side and gave it to me.

“Mom, use this.”

I took the dictionary, aimed straight at the cup in the trash can and smashed it down. One, two, three. The ceramic shards flew out, hitting the wall of the barrel with a crisp sound. Mother-in-law shouted: "You are crazy!" I put the dictionary back on the table and looked at Tham Duat Hanh.

“This time it broke.”

Tham Duat Hanh looked at the pile of trash, the blood on his face drained little by little. It seemed like he finally understood that there were some things that couldn't just be picked up, wiped clean, and put back in their original place. I put my computer and manuscripts in the box. When moving to the door, Tham Duat Hanh suddenly spoke: "I always keep your drawing room." I paused for a moment. He whispered: "I don't let anyone touch it." I turned my head to look at him: "You kept a room, but forced the people inside to eat cold food at midnight.” His lips were pressed tightly. I pulled the box out. Tue Tue walked close beside me. When she reached the stairs, she suddenly looked back.

“Dad, in the future, don't say mommy makes you do anything anymore.”

Tam Duat Hanh looked at his child, his throat seemed to be choked. Tue Tue's eyes were red: "When mommy hurts, she really hurts." 【Chapter 9】 My memories began to loosen one day when it rained. That day Tue Tue was taking a nap, I sat next to the window rearranging the drawings.